Calaveras County Activities

Snowmobiling Only three miles above Bear Valley is one of California’s premier snowmobile recreation areas. Highway
4 from Lake Alpine to Highland Lakes turnoff and beyond is snow covered and groomed during the winter months for snowmobiling, and brings you past picturesque lakes and serene meadows. A Sno-Park permit for your vehicle must be obtained for parking and is
available in Bear Valley. Snowmobile rentals, service and sales are available in Bear Valley.

The Stanislaus National Forest does not allow ATVs and snowmobiles in specified areas. However, there are wilderness areas which allow motorized use.

Horseback Riding
Excellent opportunities exist for horseback riding, be it day rides or extended pack trips. Equestrians are expected to follow low impact stock use practices and obtain a wilderness permit when camping in designated wilderness areas. Horses and other pack stock
are encouraged, but need to be handled skillfully to avoid unnecessary damage to the land. No horse rentals are available. The newly constructed Arnold Rim Trail offers great trail riding opportunities in Arnold. See this website http://arnoldrimtrail.org/info.html
for more information.

Biking There are many excellent opportunities for biking enthusiasts from beginner to expert. The new Rim Trail
around Arnold offer expert to novice riders an opportunity to enjoy some of Northern California’s best mountain bike trails. Enjoy biking on scenic and paved or gravelled roads with moderate terrain, or more challenging single track and 4×4 trails with steep
grades. Mountain biking is allowed on all National Forest non-wilderness trails and roads, and on all roads within Calaveras Big Trees State Park, excluding any single tread trails.

Backpacking/Hiking
Some of the nation’s most spectacular sights await you in the back country. Over 150 miles of trails are maintained in the Calaveras District of the Stanislaus Forest and most are in rugged terrain, but there are also easy day hikes. Conditions of hiking trails
vary from season to season, depending on snowfall and other factors.

Camping
There are a great variety of campgrounds for your outdoor enjoyment: Boards Crossing, Sourgrass, Big Meadow, Stanislaus River, Spicer, Lake Alpine, Mosquito Lake, Pacific Valley, Hermit Valley, Bloomfield, Highland Lakes and two located within the Calaveras
Big Trees State Park: North Grove and South Grove. All campgrounds are on a first come, first served basis, with few exceptions.

Picnicking
There are more areas to picnic that can be written here. Our most treasured spots are along the many waterways creeks and streams and beautiful lakes. Five developed picnic grounds with tables, stoves and toilet facilities are located within the Calaveras Ranger
District: Crescent Grove, Cottage Springs, Spicer Reservoir, Marmot and Chickaree. Calaveras Big Trees State Park also has group and individual picnic sites on the North Grove and individual sites at Beaver Creek and Stanislaus River areas.

Boating/Kayaking/RaftingLake Alpine, Spicer Reservoir and Union/Utica Lakes provide excellent boating opportunities. With a maximum speed
of 10 mph, water skiing or jet skis are not allowed. Water skiing and personal watercraft sports are available at nearby New Melones Recreation area in Angels Camp. The smaller Union and Utica Lakes are perfect for canoeing or kayaking. Boats, canoes and kayaks
can be rented at Bear Valley and Lake Alpine in the Summer. The Stanislaus River offers exciting rapids and scenic beauty, but can be dangerous.

Fishing and Swimming
Swimming and fishing opportunities await at most lakes, rivers and reservoirs in the area including Spicer Reservoir, Lake Alpine, Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek (in Big Trees
State Park) and White Pines Lake in Arnold. There are also a few lakes and swimming pools which are a part of private homeowners associations and clubs.

Fishing enthusiasts will find the Stanislaus National Forest and surrounding area rivers, creeks and lakes abundant with rainbow, brown and brook trout. Although several lakes are open year round, the general trout fishing season starts in late April and
ends in mid November.

Golf Calaveras is fast becoming a golfer’s haven with six courses in the county. Arnold has two beautiful golf courses
to choose from, one private country club and one which is open to the public.

Tennis, Racquetball, etc
Several fee tennis courts and a complete fitness club are conveniently located in the area.

Shopping
The area is host to many one-of-a-kind shopping opportunities, where shopping in itself is a recreation. Take time to discover the individualized charm of these shops. In each owner-operated specialty store, from clothing to gifts to home decor, you’ll find
just about everything you need and more including personalized service.